Tag: sports

Remove Equestrian Sports from the Olympics

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Equestrian sports have been in the Olympics for over a hundred years, highlighting the bond between the rider and their horse.

More recently, there has been a debate on whether these events should stay in the Games, with concerns about horse welfare, accessibility, and how well they fit with current Olympic values.

Read this article to know about the case for the removal of equestrian sports from the Olympics.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/31/the-horses-dont-choose-to-take-part-should-equestrian-sports-be-removed-from-the-olympics

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “to go out of the window” mean? ““We know that whenever animals are treated as commodities and exploited for human gain, their best interests go out of the window,” says White.” Give a synonym and make a sentence with this expression.
  2. What is an “outcry”? “Having been hailed as the “golden girl” of dressage and widely tipped for a damehood, Dujardin has been banned from the Paris Olympic Games amid public outcry and a pending investigation by the sport’s governing body.” Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘outcry’ in your own sentence.
  3. Define “to put one’s foot down”. “We are trying to do everything we can to find out about unethical behaviour and put our foot down wherever it happens.” Give a similar expression and create a sentence using this idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on removing equestrian sports from the Olympics?
  2. Have you ever watched equestrian sports in the Olympics? If so, what was your impression of them?
  3. How do you think the inclusion of equestrian sports in the Olympics reflects or challenges our views on animal welfare?
  4. Are equestrian sports popular in your country? What other sports do you think might harm animals?
  5. What’s your opinion on the statement, “Whenever there’s a lot of money or glory involved, people may exploit animals to make them perform a certain way.”?

Climate Crisis Threatens Future of Global Sport

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Sports have always been an important part of society and we all have contributed to our favorite sport at some point in our lives. However, sports do so much more than entertain us. Sports provide jobs, influence the economy, and can sometimes cause troubles.

What if major sports events are to be cancelled and postponed? What do you think will happen?

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200622-sports-events.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do sports events create global emissions?
  2. How might climate change affect sports?
  3. What do you think of your country’s national sport?
  4. How can sports deal with climate change?
  5. What are the benefits of sports to the world?
  6. What’s your favorite sport and why?

Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Doping means to administer drugs, known as performing-enhancement drugs (PED), to an animal or athlete in order to inhibit or enhance sporting performance. There are numerous reports of the use of PEDs in various sporting events, which led to banning of the condemned players.

Let us take a look at these incidents.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/06/us/performance-enhancing-drugs-in-sports-fast-facts/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some examples of performance-enhancing drugs (PED) and their effects?

2. What is your opinion about the use of PEDs?

3. Who is your favorite athlete? What would you do if s/he were found and convicted of doping?

4. Should the use of PEDs be allowed to a sick athlete who would need to perform in one sporting event? Why or why not?

Mixed-gender Events at the 2020 Olympics

B1 – Intermediate

The 2020 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXII Olympiad and commonly known as Tokyo 2020, is a major international multi-sport event due to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games as governed by the International Olympic Committee.

In the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics, some events will have mixed-gender participants. This will make the Tokyo Olympics very gender-balanced. However, not every is pleased with this.

Find out about mixed reactions towards mixed-gender sports events at Tokyo 2020.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1706/170613-2020-olympics.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you a big fan of the Olympics?

2. Do you think skateboarding, 3-on-3 basketball, sport climbing and BMX freestyle belong in the Olympics?

3. Do your country’s athletes do well in the Olympics?

4. What is your favourite event at the Olympics and why?

5. Do you think the Olympics should only be for amateur athletes, like it used to be?

6. Which Olympics can you remember well?

7. What does hosting the Olympics do for a country?

Rugby Sport Helps Heal Wounds

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B2 – Upper intermediate

After a devastating event, children of all ages in Rwanda are healing through the game of Rugby. Read the extraordinary stories of people involved in bringing hope back in a wounded community.

Rwanda Rugby: Sport helps heal wounds in ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’

Discuss:

1. Tell the story of Kamanda Tharcisse. How has Rugby helped him?
2. How did rugby reach Rwanda? Who are the other people involved in the foundation Friends of Rwandan Rugby?
3. How is rugny fairing in your country?
4. Aside from sports, what other activities can help heal or recuperate people who have gone through traumatic events.

Jungle Marathon: A Dangerous Race

B2 – Upper intermediate

Marathon events are held everywhere all around the world. And, with its increasing popularity, different variations of marathon race are conducted. One of these is the Jungle Marathon. This is not your typical marathon, as some people say that this is one of the most dangerous races one could ever experience. Let’s find out why.

http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/jungle-marathon-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever joined a marathon before?
2. Do you think the Jungle Marathon is dangerous?
3. Why do you think a lot of people are into marathon races?
4. Would you like to try this in the future?
5. What other sporting events have you tried or are you willing to try?

China Wants To Become A Soccer Superpower

chinese-football-team

B2 – Upper intermediate

Traditionally a sport dominated by European countries, soccer is a sport where a lot of Asian countries have not been really good at until recently. That is all about to change as China has announced its plan to become a soccer superpower.

Read about China’s big ambitions by clicking the link below.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/sports/china-wants-to-become-soccer-superpower.htm#

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is soccer so popular in the world?
2. Do you think China will be able to reach its goal of being a soccer superpower?
3. Do you think Chinese soccer teams stand a chance against Spanish/European ones?
4. What sports do you play? What are some you find very interesting?

Fighting Like a Girl

C1 – Advanced

Watch the video below and know more about Cris Cyborg and the things she has learned with her sport.

Discuss:

1. Who is Cris Cyborg and why was she banned from fighting for a year? What did she learn from this experience?
2. Based on the video, what are some of your limitations when you’re a professional fighter?
3. Are you fond of watching MMA or UFC?
4. What was Cyborg’s advice to girls who would like to try MMA or fighting as a sport?
5. How do you motivate yourself in life and at work, especially during difficult times?
6. What are some of the very important life values that you will learn in sports?

Doctors Say No to Tackling in Rugby

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Rugby has got to be one of the toughest and testosterone-filled sport out there. There’s beauty and strength in the game, but also danger.

Click on the title below and be ready to express your thoughts about the sport.

Doctors say no to tackling in rugby

Discuss:

1. What are the two sides discussed in this article?
2. How do you feel about contact sports like rugby or American football?
3. Do you agree with what the article is saying?
4. Aside from rugby, what do you think are other sports that can be physically dangerous?

Women Jockeys in Horse Racing

B2 – Upper intermediate

In horse racing, it’s very common to see men as the riders and women as spectators. Not in Maryland. Pimlico racetrack now features female riders.

Watch this video and learn how women are coping in a predominantly male sport.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about gender equality when it comes to sport?
2. Do you think that gender matters when it comes to being good at a sport?
3. Have you ever been to a horse race before?